Showcause notices have been served to nearly 750 houses and shops which were constructed by encroaching Velachery Lake.
All encroachers have been given time to respond and if the government finds their replies unsatisfactory, they will be evicted, the state water resources department told the National Green Tribunal Southern Zone (NGT SZ).
The submission was made in connection with a case by Velachery residents against government inaction in removing the squatters because of which the lake had shrunk from its original size of 265 acres to 55 acres now.
S Kumaradasan from Velachery Eri Pathukappu Iyakkam complained that the lake was not desilted regularly, and untreated sewage is released into the waterbody which once catered the drinking water needs of the residents.
Subsequent water test reports confirmed that the lake contained high levels of bacteria, chlorides, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Contamination was extremely high at some places like Kakkan Bridge in Adambakkam (2,400 MPN per 100 Mg/L). Similarly, other pollutant levels were way above par at Maruthupandiyar Road.
Since NGT came down heavily on state agencies for delays, the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) proposed to setup collection wells at five key locations — Kakkan Nagar Main Road, Bhavani Nagar Main Road, Statri Nagar, Raj Bhavan Canal and 100 Feet Road — to intercept and divert sullage or grey water into nearby sewage pumping station.
This project, estimated to cost around Rs.4 crore, aimed at stopping sewage being released into storm water drains (meant to carry only excess rainwater) which eventually reached the lake. But works got delayed due the road cut ban by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) during the North East Monsoon period from October to December 2022. Work resumed in January and currently 45%of the project is complete, the CMWSSB told the NGT.
Admitting these submissions, the tribunal adjourned the case to March 23.
